[Michael.SF.]

Not sure which version of the story you read, of course.

But I did a search and read one which is at odds with the version I heard. It was at my son's wedding and the brides father, knowing how much I liked music, introduced me to one of his longtime friends. The gentlemen was now long retired, but had been a studio musician (session guitarist) in Nashville and toured several times with Johnny Cash, as well as Kris Kristofferson.

I asked him about the story, and he prompted me to tell my version. He then corrected me on three points: Kristofferson was not the pilot, no alcohol was involved, Cash was not at home, but June came out to see what was going on.

I also had said KK handed him the "sheet Music", he did not correct me on that minor point (sheet music vs. Demo tape). He also added that KK said to June: "I just wrote Johnny's next hit song". He left quickly after he told her that.

It is a great story!

[Songcraft]

I found a couple versions of the story through Google, that differed a little, but both had Kristofferson piloting the helicopter.   But, either way, like you said, Michael.SF., it is a great story, and so much would have been lost to the music world, if he had not been able to get a major breakthrough like that.